Nouns, pronouns and verbs have different jobs
A noun names a person, place or thing: teacher, park, book. A pronoun can replace a noun: she, it, they. A verb describes an action or state: read, walk, be. In “Maya reads a book”, Maya and book are nouns and reads is the verb. “She reads it” uses pronouns to avoid repeating both nouns.
Build a clear sentence
A common statement pattern is subject + verb + object: “The student opens the door.” With be, an adjective can describe the subject: “The door is open.” Compare the action with the state. In the present, use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Match the tense to the message
Use the present simple for routines: “I walk to work.” Use the present continuous for an action happening now: “I am walking to work.” A finished event can use the past simple: “I walked to work yesterday.” For an intention, “I am going to walk tomorrow” gives a future plan. Time expressions help, but the intended meaning matters too.
Make negatives and questions
With most present-simple verbs, use do or does: “Do you work here?” and “She does not work here.” After does, keep the main verb in its base form. With be, move the verb for a question: “Are you ready?” A negative adds not: “I am not ready.” Practise statements, questions and negatives together.
Use prepositions to locate people and events
“The keys are in the bag” places them inside. “The keys are on the table” places them on a surface. Use at for a point or meeting place: “Meet me at the station.” For time, compare “at six”, “on Monday” and “in July”. Learn examples with the rule, because preposition use is not always predictable.
Correct one idea at a time
When checking a sentence, ask: Is the subject clear? Does the verb agree? Does the tense match the meaning? Are the small words present? “She go school yesterday” becomes “She went to school yesterday.” Explain both changes: went marks the past, and to connects the movement with the destination.
Examples to practise
He plays football on Saturdays.
Does he play football on Saturdays?
He does not play football on Sundays.
Try it yourself
Complete the sentence: She ___ to school every day.
go · goes · going
Check the answer and explanation
Goes. In a present-simple statement, he/she/it usually takes an -s or -es verb form.
Connect a rule with a situation
Try the A1 beginner examples, then build toward A2 everyday communication. The classroom guide explains saved notes, writing and revision.